Schaefer returns from Middle East tripGov. William Donald...

IN THE STATE

Gov. William Donald Schaefer returned yesterday from his three-day trip to the Persian Gulf and will meet with reporters today to discuss his tour of war-torn Kuwait.

Mr. Schaefer arrived at Andrews Air Force Base about 9 a.m. with a delegation of about 150 U.S. representatives. The group was led by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert A, Mosbacher Sr. and made stops in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Accompanying the governor were two of the state's key business recruiters, but Mr. Schaefer said the trip was a "friendship" visit and not to solicit business for the state. Mr. Schaefer said he offered Maryland's help in rebuilding Kuwait's health-care services.

Mikulski aide Sfikas to run for City Council

EAST BALTIMORE

Perry Sfikas, an aide to Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., has officially launched a campaign to win a seat on the City Council representing the 1st District.

Mr. Sfikas announced his candidacy over the weekend at several events in East Baltimore, including a fund-raiser last night at the United Steelworkers Hall attended by Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke.

Mr. Sfikas has already received endorsements from Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, D-Md., and his boss, Ms. Mikulski, who launched her political career by winning the same council seat in 1971. But he faces three Democratic incumbents who have the support of the area's powerful political clubs: John A. Schaefer, Dominic "Mimi" DiPietro and Nicholas C. D'Adamo Jr.

Two other Democrats, Joseph R. Ratajczak and Bea Gaddy, are also running for 1st District seats.

Mr. Sfikas grew up in Southeast Baltimore and graduated from Patterson High School in 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs and a master's degree in science, technology and public policy from George Washington University. He also has a law degree from the University of Baltimore.

He has worked as a congressional and senatorial aide to Ms. Mikulski for 14 years.

Vandals empty oil tank into park stream

BALTIMORE

When an oil spill was discovered yesterday in a Leakin Park stream in Baltimore, firefighters did not have to look far to find its origin.

The 500 gallons of heating fuel that spilled into the water off the 1600 block of N. Franklintown Road came from an oil tank in the rear of their own firehouse -- Engine Company 20 in the 3100 block of W. North Ave., said Sgt. Paul L. Abell of the Southwestern police district.

Vandals had siphoned the heating fuel from the tank sometime after 2 p.m. Saturday while firefighters were away on an emergency run. The house had been locked to prevent thefts, but the oil tank is outside the building, police said.

Sergeant Abell said police didn't know whether someone had intended to pilfer the oil or just emptied it as an act of vandalism.

The spill caused little or no environmental damage before it was cleaned up, police said.

Man fatally stabbed during argument

EAST BALTIMORE

A 34-year-old Baltimore man was killed yesterday in East Baltimore during an argument over a woman, according to police.

The victim, Jerry James Jefferson, of the 4500 block of Old Frederick Road, was pronounced dead at 2:25 a.m. at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center from multiple stab wounds, said Detective Vernon Holly, a homicide investigator.

Detective Holly said the victim was stabbed repeatedly about 1:20 a.m. after he and another man argued over a woman in a house in the 200 block of North Montford Avenue. The woman was uninjured.

Police said a 9-inch butcher knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered.

Karlton M. Elliott, 33, of the 200 block of North Montford Avenue, was arrested at the house and charged with first-degree murder, police said. He was held without bail pending a review hearing today.

FOR THE RECORD

* No one matched the numbers drawn Saturday night in the Maryland Lotto game, 5-22-27-33-37-47, raising the jackpot for Wednesday to an estimated $7 million. Lottery spokesman Carroll H. Hynson said 81 tickets matched five numbers to win $1,050 each and 4,073 tickets had four numbers to win $35 each.

Suspect in holdup surrenders to police

BALTIMORE

An 18-year-old Baltimore man wanted for Saturday's holdup at the International House of Pancakes on York Road -- engineered by a half-dozen gun-wielding assailants -- surrendered yesterday the Northern District, Baltimore police said.

Shantee Arthur, of the 5300 block of Perring Parkway, was

charged with 14 counts of armed robbery, aggravated assault, malicious destruction of property and the use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, said Dennis S. Hill, a police spokesman.

Mr. Hill said detectives obtained warrants for Mr. Arthur after he was identified by one of the victims in the 4:30 a.m. robbery at the restaurant, located in the 5200 block of York Road.

Detectives went to his parents' house yesterday, notifying them of the charges, and his parents agreed to have him surrender, police said.

Police are still looking for five other suspects who fired at least a dozen shots inside the restaurant. None of the 29 customers and employees -- who were also robbed -- were injured.

Mr. Hill said the holdup was not the result of the shotgun gang believed responsible for nearly 90 robberies in Baltimore and Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties since last October.